Ruth Lyons

This week I'm reminiscing to a childhood favorite, Koko the Gorilla. I may or may not have an almost lifesize stuffed Koko the Gorilla (#BestChristmasEver). I was obsessed with Koko the Gorilla as a child and loved learning sign language like Koko. This week explore the fascinating world of animal communication by learning about Koko the Gorilla and her instructor, Francine Patterson.  

Watch National Geographic's Koko the Gorilla (7:34)

Complete my Type I Tuesday Debriefing Worksheet that coordinates with this week's topic.

Want to learn more?

• Visit The Gorilla Foundation to learn more about Project Koko
• Visit Sign Language 101 to learn American Sign Language

With the flowers in bloom, we have honeybees visiting our yards. This week's Type I is to learn more about these fascinating engineers and architects. 

Watch TED-Ed's Why do honeybees love hexagons

Complete my Type I Tuesday Debriefing Worksheet that coordinates with this week's topic.

Want to learn more? Visit Science Friday for honeybee extension activities and projects

The summer slide is something that most families and educators are familiar with, it is a term to describe the loss of learning over a summer. The summer slide can be as extreme as a decline of 2-3 months of learning loss to just a two-week loss. 

One of the reasons for the summer slide is known as the faucet theory. This theory is a comparison to the availability of resources at a school during the school year to water flowing from a faucet. During the summer, that faucet is turned off as with school closed, those resources are no longer available. This immediate (and unexpected) loss of resources is a reality for many homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

We can and most likely will see the same thing occur because of COVID-19. We will have what will be called the COVID slide, you may already start seeing speculations about this learning loss popping up in your feed. Without data though, we will not know the true impact. So during this time, I want to offer some...

Whenever I am on a Zoom Meeting, I get so distracted by my OWN background! I am constantly think what I can put behind me to make the space more appealing. Well, thanks to these folks below my problem is solved! Take a look at some of these fun zoom backgrounds you can use.

Watch Zoom's Overview on how to use virtual backgrounds

University of Maine scenes (as an alum, I had to share)

Maggie Tillman created a list of the best zoom backgrounds - it includes The Office, so I had to share (sorry, not sorry)! Just a heads up, not all are appropriate for the classroom setting.

Take your meetings to National Parks with these virtual backgrounds from the National Parks Conservatory.

Bummed that Disney is closed? Use one of their virtual backgrounds to share that Disney Magic!

Who doesn't love a great library? Put yourself among the stacks with these virtual library backgrounds from Library Journal

Have fun with these! You'll be sure to make someone smile!
Love,
Ruth

During this time of online learning and remote education, it is so important to keep our students engaged in creative endeavors. As Dr. James Kaufman says, "creative activities can help you reduce stress, handle trauma, and improve your mood—all of which are particularly helpful at the current moment." 

Here is a list of some opportunities that you may want to check out and/or pass onto your students. These sites would be a great resource for students to visit for additional enrichment! Enrichment is great for ALL of us! 

1. Chris Van Doodles - Maine Author/Illustrator Chris Van Dusen shares drawing tutorials of some of his characters. How fun! Draw Mercy Watson, Eugenia Lincoln, Mrs. Watson, Mr. Watson, and more! Check out his YouTube Channel for all his drawing tutorials. All you need is paper and a pencil!
2. Draw Everyday with JJK - Jarrett J. Krosoczka is offering drawing tutorials of some of his characters and other popular characters in the...

You're home. Your Children are home. You need to work. You need to parent. Never before have we been in a situation where all childcare assistance is shutdown while needing to maintain a working presence. I've got your back! Here are 10 low prep (and teacher approved) activities that are easy to implement, have some educational component, and will keep your children busy!

1. Make a board game
   Get those Amazon boxes out of the garage (one per child) and cut them open to create a nice large working space. Have your child create a board game about ANYTHING...a favorite book, their favorite TV show, their family, a hobby. For younger kids draw the game board and add spaces, older kids can use rulers and trace plastic food storage containers
   Materials: cardboard box, markers, crayons, dice
   
   
2. Money for Meals
   Grab any grocery store flyer. Have your child go through the flyer and create meals. They can cut out the food item and glue it to a paper. Have them calculate the cost of each meal (if age...

As those who have worked with me know, I love curating activities and resources! When I was in front of students, I loved being able to present cool, unique, and interesting resources that I knew would captivate them. 

During this time of transition to e-learning, I want to offer you some of the great resources I have found! I am so humbled by the outpouring of support and generosity! We are always stronger together!

1. Check out Home Safari Facebook Live everyday at 3pm starting March 16th: While the Cincinnati Zoo is closed and kids are home from school, let us help make your children’s hiatus from school fun and educational. Join us for a Home Safari Facebook Live each weekday at 3pm where we will highlight one of our amazing animals and include an activity you can do from home. Join us starting Monday, March 16 at 3pm for our first Home Safari- featuring Fiona!
   
   
2. 20 Virtual Fields Trips to Take with your Kids: Virtual field trips are a great way to expose...